Arab coalition announces one-month extension of Yemen ceasefire

RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition has announced a one-month ceasefire extension in Yemen to support efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

A two-week ceasefire announced by the coalition that is battling the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen expired this week without leading to a permanent break.

Coalition’s official spokesperson Col. Turki Al Maliki said, “The ongoing negotiations are regarding a permanent ceasefire, economic and humanitarian measures agreements, and relaunch of the political process. In addition, the coalition’s seriousness to alleviate the suffering of the people of Yemen, working to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent its outbreak with the onset of the holy month of Ramzan, was taken into consideration.”

The Houthis ousted the internationally recognized Saudi-backed government from power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. They want a lifting of air and sea blockades imposed by the coalition to the regions they control before agreeing to a ceasefire, sources have told Reuters.

“The coalition’s command reaffirms that there is still an opportunity to focus all efforts in order to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire,” Turki al-Maliki was quoted.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month called for ceasefires in conflicts across the world to allow countries to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. While Yemen has reported only one confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.